Moray Eel

Moray Eel Facts and Information

Introduction to Moray Eel

The Moray Eel offers over 200 different species. They can vary in size and color due to their location and species. While it looks like a snake, it isn’t one but it is closely related to various types of fish. They can range in length up to 13 feet and they can weigh up to 80 pounds. They are often mistaken forreptiles and snakes though so people often don’t know what they have come into contact with.

Moray Eel Description

The Moray Eel offers a long body and a very long snout. They have two sets of jaws and teeth – one that you can see and one that is in their throat. Those that are in the throat allow them to break up food and to digest it. They are the only known animal in the world that has such as design and experts are very fascinated by how it works.

Class

Actinopterygii

Superorder

Elopomorpha

Order

Anguilliformes

Family

Muraenidae

Conservation status

Least Concern

They range in color depending on the species and location. Most of them are dark colors to blend well in murky waters. They can be black, brown, gray, and olive green. They can have various markings on them too such as stripes or spots. They are very fast swimmers and they are able to use very little energy in such movements. They don’t move like fish in the water but rather like snakes in their side to side movements.

Moray Eel Distribution

They live in both freshwater and bodies of saltwater. It depends on the species of the Moray Eel. They tend to live in many areas where the freshwater and saltwater meet. They enjoy faster moving water too instead of calm locations. The seem to be able to thrive in warmer bodies of water.

Moray Eel Behavior

They don’t see very well but they make up for it with their very excellent sense of smell. They tend to do their hunting at night and rely on smell to help them get their prey. Some types of fish will follow them to be able to avoid predators themselves.

They can be aggressive but most of the time they will flea instead of fighting. They tend to be very shy and they will only attack people or other animals in times of self defense. When someone comes too close to the burrow of the Moray Eel they will more likely act aggressive to protect that habitat.

Moray Eel – Family: Muraenidae

Moray Eel Feeding

Ambush hunting is the process for the Moray Eel. They will blend in very well to their surroundings so when prey comes along they spring on them. They have strong teeth that allows them to grab food and to immediately start to tear it up and consume it.

Moray Eel Reproduction

There is no set mating season for the Moray Eel. They tend to take part in it when they have enough food and habitat. Moray eels, like all true eels, are oviparous.

Warmer water temperatures also increase the chances of successful mating. The females will find a place to deposit eggs into the water where they will be well hidden. She will release an odor as she does this and that enables males to come along and deposit sperm as well. It can take from 30 to 45 days for the young to emerge. If the temperature of the water heats up they will come out of the eggs in fewer days.

The young instinctively know how to care for themselves from the moment that they emerge from the eggs. A very high percentage of them will end up being prey for various forms of aquatic life so they won’t reach the age of maturity. The Moray Eel is ready to mate around 3 years of age.